Balance Your Spiritual Energy
Rabbi Elazar of Bartota says, “Give Him of what is His, for you and all you have are His” (Avot 3:8).
HaShem created us and is the supreme Master of the universe. He granted us existence in this world as well as eternal life in the World to Come. He sustains us and provides us with our every breath. In light of this, we might assume that we are required to serve HaShem to the point of exhaustion — to expend all of our energies on Torah study and Mitzvah performance until we literally cannot “move a muscle.”
However, the phraseology of this Mishnah reveals the correct level of dedication that HaShem requires of His servants. The passage says: “Give Him of what is His.” These words imply: Give Him a portion of what is His — but not “everything.” Although, He gives us everything, He requires us to devote only a healthy share of our energies to His service.
Let us quantify this lesson into a precise formula that we can apply to our lives on a daily basis. How should we balance our time throughout the day between actively serving HaShem, and giving ourselves time to replenish our spirit? He requires that we serve Him until our bodies become tired, and not more than that! We are not expected to exert ourselves beyond the boundaries that are consistent with good health. Our service to HaShem should be wholesome to both body and soul. When we serve HaShem with the proper measure of devotion, our body signals us when to rest and replenish our energy.
If we devote ourselves to the proper measure of Divine service, then HaShem, the Giver of Life, will revitalize our energy so the we can serve Him with renewed strength and vigor.
Take a deep breath, and reflect for a moment on how to balance your spiritual energies.
(Based on Ruach Chaim of Rabbi Chaim Volozhin)
